Preserved Roses: What They Are, Why They Matter and How to Find Them, With The Million Roses
It’s estimated that 2.8 billion roses are sold in the United States each year, with billions spent on Valentine’s Day flowers alone. Whether they are being used to commemorate a wedding or anniversary or as a spontaneous romantic gesture, there is no denying how deeply entrenched the symbolism of roses are — in part thanks to the luxury and beauty associated with them.
While roses have long been associated with deep feelings of romance, there is also the unfortunate fact that they don’t tend to last very long. In fact, most roses will only last five to seven days before they start to wilt and must be thrown out.
Enter preserved roses, a surging trend in the world of luxury flowers. I recently had the opportunity to speak with Doniz Pauillac, COO of The Million Roses, a company that produces luxury preserved roses, about what makes these flowers unique and why they represent a new standard in floral gift giving.
What Are Preserved Roses?
“Preserved roses are designed to specifically address the biggest issue with traditional roses — their longevity,” Pauillac explains. “At best, traditional roses will only last about two weeks, and that is with extensive attention and care. Preserved Roses are designed to last for three years or more.”
In order to achieve this level of longevity, the roses undergo a distinct preservation process. Rather than simply dehydrating the flowers (which results in a beautiful, albeit far different appearance for the flowers), preserved roses are created using rehydration.
“The roses go through a non-toxic process in which they are rehydrated by placing them in a mixture of glycerin and other plant elements,” Pauillac says. “This mixture gradually rises through the stem, spreading the preservative throughout the rose and ensuring that it will maintain its natural look and feel for an extended period of time. The preservative keeps working for years so that the flower will look like it was freshly cut.”
The Benefits of Preserved Roses
The unique process that preserved roses go through offers some noteworthy advantages for individuals interested in using them as a gifting option — whether for a loved one or themselves.
“Obviously, the greatest advantage of preserved roses is their lifespan,” Pauillac says. “Our preserved roses can last for over three years without the need for water or special care. Aside from potentially cleaning them with a soft duster, you can expect them to maintain their vibrant, fresh appearance as long as they are kept out of excess heat and humidity. The fact that you can enjoy this natural beauty without all the added work that goes into caring for traditional roses makes it easy to bring a luxury experience into your own home.”
Of course, a key aspect of providing a true luxury experience also requires the selection of top-quality roses — a point of pride for Pauillac and The Million Roses team.
“Our roses are grown in Ecuador, a country known for producing some of the finest roses in the world,” he says. “Even then, we only choose the top 1% of roses to undergo our preservation process, ensuring that our preserved roses deliver the highest possible quality in terms of color, texture and vibrancy. For flowers that are going to last for three years or more, we want them to look the absolute best.”
Preserved flowers also represent a more environmentally friendly approach to gifting roses than other floral options. In addition to the minimal environmental impact of the preservation process itself, the fact that the roses are able to last for such a long time helps lessen overall demand for water and other plant nutrients that are required to sustain new roses.
Where to Order Your Own Preserved Roses
While you are unlikely to find preserved roses at your local flower shop, this doesn’t mean they are hard to find. Online availability, combined with the unique preservation process undertaken by The Million Roses, enables their flowers to be sold to customers around the world.
“We ship our roses across the country and around the world,” Pauillac says. “Obviously, this requires special care and handling to ensure they reach their destination safely, but thanks to the preservation process, you can have confidence that the flowers will look just as good as if you bought them fresh from the florist. Few things can be more charming than having beautiful luxury roses delivered right to your doorstep.”
In addition to offering expedited air and ground delivery options throughout the United States, The Million Roses also offers same-day delivery for customers in the Los Angeles area. Regardless of where you live, access to luxury roses is only a few clicks away.
A Better Type of Rose
With an extended lifespan and undeniable natural beauty, preserved roses offer an excellent luxury alternative to purchasing traditional roses. Thanks to their online availability, there has never been a better time to show those you love just how much you care by giving this desirable gift.
With preserved roses, you have the ideal gift to express your feelings and turn special moments into memories that will last for months — and even years.
